Is Our Time Ripe?

 

Veterans Day is coming up this Wednesday. It is a federal holiday observed every year on November 11. It has been called Remembrance Day and Armistice Day, originally honoring the end of WWI. Today, there are no veterans of WWI. The last veteran of World War 1, Frank Buckles, died in February 2011 at the age of 110. And the veterans of WWII are fast disappearing. According to one source, only 30,500 of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII are still living in 2026. Of those millions who served in the last world war and died on the battlefield, the remains of some soldiers are still unidentified. But the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) continues to discover those soldiers who are still officially listed as missing, and to identify the remains they have. As a nation, we have promised to find our missing boys and return the remains to family members. We do this because we honor the ultimate sacrifice they made.

On this coming Wednesday, let’s say a prayer of thanksgiving for the men and women who have died before their time, fighting in conflicts throughout time to protect the values of freedom, decency, and respect for one’s fellow human beings. —Timothy Merrill

[Daniel 4:25] We often wonder what the world is coming to; just how long will evil progress in our world? The Bible ought to be at the forefront of our focus when we have such questions. That God wrote the Bible is evident from many of its characteristics, one of which is its controlled way of describing evil in the world. There is no shock at the evil acts of men, but rather a reminder that God is in control over the kingdoms of men and works according to His own timetable. Just as farmers wait as long as it takes for their crops to mature before they harvest them, God waits until the time is right to punish nations.

 Often, we become anxious and impatient about evil, wondering when God will deal with it. Men in the Bible did this as well. Jeremiah questioned how long God would allow the wicked to prosper (Jeremiah 12:1-4). Habakkuk knew that God was of purer eyes than to behold evil (Habakkuk 1:13) but was troubled because to him it seemed that God was idly looking at wrongdoing (Habakkuk 1:2-4). John saw the souls of them who were slain under the alter crying out, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10), an evident representation of God’s sense of justice being so sensitive that innocent blood screams out to Him (Genesis 4:10).

God will punish when the time is ripe. In Genesis 15:16, God promised Abraham that his descendants (Israel) would inherit the land where Abraham was sojourning (Canaan), when the iniquity of the present inhabitants (the Amorites) was full. However, before that time Israel would be a servant in the land of Egypt until the time was right for God to judge them (Genesis 15:13-14). God had plans to bless Israel and to punish Egypt and the people of Canaan, but it was all according to His time.

When will the iniquity of our nation be full? God alone knows. He sent His Son to save the world “when the fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4). Revelation 14:13-16 portrays an angel being sent forth from God with instructions for Christ to reap the earth with a sharp sickle gathering God’s people for deliverance.

The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 came when the time was ripe. Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24-43 gives a glimpse of the harvest that will take place at the end of time. God harvests when the time is ripe for individuals and nations. He will issue His last and great harvest at the end of time, of which only He knows (Matthew 24:36-39). It is up to us to make sure we are prepared for the reaping when the time is ripe.

Doing Good for Good Pay

 

A story was told about a small boy wanting to buy a watermelon from an old farmer. The boy was willing to pay one dollar for a delicious melon still attached to the vine. The old farmer said, “Nope. I get four dollars for a melon like that one.” The boy pointed to a small melon two rows over and said, “How about a dollar for that one?” The old farmer smiled and took the boy’s dollar, and said, “It’s a deal.” The boy returned the smile and said, “Deal! I’ll pick it up about this time next week.” Sometimes the best deals are made when we’re willing to wait. Patience is always a key ingredient toward success.

Several missionaries were having coffee one afternoon, when an ant appeared on the white tablecloth, made its way to the plate of donuts, walked around it, and made straight for the sugar bowl. After eating several bites, it walked off with a small piece. They watched the ant disappear under the door only to return a few minutes later with several of its relations. They climbed the table leg, entered the sugar bowl, and ate their fill. Then they departed, each with a morsel of sugar in its mouth. But it didn’t end there. Presently, a swarm of ants arrived to partake of the same sweet food, leaving with abundant stores for home. These ants teach us a lesson. The first went and told others of the “good news,” who in turn, went and told the glad story to many more. Like Isaiah, the demonic, the woman of Samaria, and others, we must “go and tell” the glad story of God’s redeeming love that all may share in the grace of forgiveness found in God’s kingdom of sweet rest.

[John 15:5] Have you ever had the feeling that after all is said and done, that all your talking and working had been wasted? Most people seem to have some experience of this sort from time to time. Yet, the Lord reminded His followers, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” The apostle Paul wrote, “...be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Toiling for the Lord is never a wasted effort, no matter whether we see the immediate results we had hoped for or not. To teach a lost one and have them reject the gospel message is not a wasted effort. It is never in vain to do God’s will. To encourage a weak Christian to remain faithful and yet see that person turn away from Christ and the church is not a wasted effort. You have shown your love for God and for your neighbor. You have obeyed God. Obedience is never a wasted effort. Jesus died for all mankind, yet most will not come to Him for salvation. Who can say that His self-sacrifice on the cross was a wasted effort?

It is human nature to get tired of doing anything that is not going as one expected. Therefore, God has encouraged us through the pen of Paul, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10). Doing good is doing God’s will. We must not give upon doing good because God will reward us at the proper time.

“Bondservants, obey in all things your master’s according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men pleasers, but in sincerity of the heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality” (Colossians 3:22-25).

He who does God’s work will get God’s pay; He does not pay as others pay; And this is sure, let come what may; He who does God’s work will get God’s pay! Everlasting life!

What Scares You?

 

Ours, it is to be feared, is an irreverent age and land. The number of those who neither fear God nor regard man, is greatly multiplied. The whole providentially arranged system of things is being reversed; and if there is any one motto which might be inscribed on the surface of society as it now is, or as modern innovators and radicals would have it, it would be this - “The elder shall serve the younger.” Youth no longer hangs upon the counsels of age or experience, or design to ask of the former times; but the less one knows of the past, the surer and wiser guide for the future is he esteemed by many.

An ancient Apostle predicted that in the last days children would be disobedient to the
counsel and dictation of their parents. And has not that season arrived when there is a widespread unwillingness on the part of the son to observe the mandates of the father, or the daughter to be swayed by the gentle instruction and mild reproof of the interested mother? Truly, we are called on to deplore the evil which has and must follow the reckless regard which is evinced by the young to the right and safe path pointed out by the aged or those of riper years.

Says a worthy eminent preacher, A.P. Peabody, in his Thanksgiving Sermons, (Millennial Harbinger February 1842) “It seems to me that even within my remembrance there has been in this respect a very great change for the worse. The commandment used to be taught, ‘Honor thy father and mother,’ and ‘Children, obey your parents in the Lord.’ But now, from what I witness frequently of the mutual relation of children and parents, I should almost imagine that it had been written. ‘Honor thy son and thy daughter,’ and ‘Parents, obey your children.’ If, in these days of irreverence, there is anything that is treated with universal reverence, it is the wayward impulses and whims of children. And often have I seen parents of large and well-informed minds, instead of moulding their children’s characters, submitting themselves to be moulded by them, brow-beaten out of sound opinions, driven from respectable and worthy habits, and drawn where neither good sense nor conscience would go with them. It is children thus trained, or rather thus untrained, who, when they grow up, push their elders aside. It is such that despise laws and speak evil of dignities. Therefore, let it be enforced by all – ‘Children, obey your parents.’”

As the cool autumn breezes bring in a new season, many people will kick off fall by scaring themselves silly. Witches, goblins, vampires, and horror movies seem to be the focal point for October. Why some people enjoy being scared of things that do not exist is beyond me. Daniel Kelly, a philosophy professor at Purdue University, once said that Halloween is the time when people can have their “fear and disgust buttons pushed without actually being in danger.” Isn’t it strange that people seek out and dwell upon evil things to tantalize their emotions with fear of non-existent things like zombies and werewolves, and imitating all sorts of evil things, but seem to have no actual fear of things that really exist, such as the coming day of judgment and eternal punishment in hell?

[2 Thessalonians 1:6-10] Jesus will return “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”. The Lord Jesus says that separation from God for all eternity in hell will be horrifying! (Mark 9:43-48) “…where ‘Their worm does not die; And the fire is not quenched.’”

Halloween is enjoyed by many today for the “safe scares” it supposedly provides. But have you stopped to consider the horror of eternal life without Jesus? If you reject Him, you will live in eternal horror, with no relief or safety to be found. Now that’s scary.

There Your Treasure Will Be Also

 

As usual, the gorilla exhibit at the San Diego Zoo was teeming with people when we entered the enclosure on a busy Saturday afternoon. The cave-like dwelling offered welcome relief from the hot sun. The benches in front of the glass windows were full of parents and children who were talking and laughing as they watched the huge beasts swinging from the trees, grooming each other, or romping around. The adult gorillas played with the youngsters.

Suddenly, I realized our 5-year-old granddaughter was no longer right in front of us. I heard her voice before I saw her. She was sitting cross-legged on the ground right in front of the glass-enclosed area for the gorillas — out of harm’s way — and reading a picture book. No doubt she needed a break from the crowds, the walking, and the sun. And as I watched, one of the giant gorillas lumbered over and sat down right in front of the glass and faced our little one, carefully watching her. Unafraid, she continued to read, going a bit slower, reading a bit louder and holding the book up to show each picture to the gorilla who seemed to be interested! Soon a crowd gathered around her and the noise level in the enclosure disappeared and all that could be heard was the voice of a little girl, giving attention –– giving a sacred space –– to one of God’s creatures. As the story ended, there was a moment of silence and a stillness in the area.

One had to wonder: What was the gorilla doing? Was he thinking? And then came the realization that it didn’t really matter. The child and the enormous ape had made a connection, thereby connecting us all. —Melanie Silva

[Matthew 6:21] A law of nature that mankind has been bound by since the beginning of time is gravity. Sure, man has gone into space and experienced weightlessness, but the rule remains that what goes up must come down. The principle can be applied to what goes into our minds as well. In other words, what goes in must come out. Jesus said something similar to this; “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we fill our mind with the things of this world, soon our actions will show our heart is not set on things above. The apostle Paul wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). As followers of Christ, we must be cautious of what we allow to enter our minds. If we are constantly around negative people, they will soon rub off on us, and our minds will be transformed into negative thinking. Paul wrote, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Paul understood that we can be conformed to the world by things we watch, listen to, read, participate in, and the people we associate with.

When James wrote about taming the tongue, he described it as “a fire” (James 3:6). He recognized, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Where does this fire get its fuel? Our speech strongly reflects the things we put into our minds. One is more likely to allow bad language to ooze into one’s vocabulary if one permits it into their mind. It may be a gradual progression we do not recognize has happened. It may get to a point that, “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be so” (James 3:9-10). What goes up must come down - what goes in must come out. Share your love and others listen.

Living Is A Challenge

 

I experienced a rather solemn week past, making decisions no one likes to make. My little Chihuahua of thirteen years just couldn’t take another step. Declining in her physical abilities for the past six months, all the meds and love couldn’t reverse or slow the aging process. Normally, my supervisor roams around the yard as I trim and mow the grass, but Wednesday she just laid without concern leaving me to move her out of the way twice as I approached her with the mower. I knew then that time was close as her mobility had nearly come to a complete failure. Thursday morning I could see it in her eyes – the spark wasn’t there anymore. That afternoon I took her to the vet for a quality-of-life exam and as I suspected water and nutrition was not being retained and the best thing for her was to put her to sleep. I wish to give accolades to the staff at Deason Animal Hospital for their care, concern, and compassion they showed me, and assume they share with all who are faced with the decision of having to part with a “member of their family” so to speak. Thanks; Bella is at rest.

A terminally ill man turned to his doctor as he was leaving the examining room and said, “Doctor, I’m afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” Very quietly the doctor said, “I don’t know…” “You don’t Know? You’re a Christian man and you don’t know what’s on the other side?” The doctor was holding the handle of the door, and on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining. As he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning again to his patient the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing but that his master was here. And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what’s on the other side of death – but I do know one thing – I know my master is there and that’s enough for me to want to go without fear.”

Most days “living” is a challenge. We have many responsibilities and challenges that compete with our relationship with God. We are raising a generation that has no real religious concern or eternal focus. As a society, our current generation continues to drift from the Creator. The world around us seems to have put us in survival mode every day.

Christians can live a fruitful, meaningful life, provided we are in the right relationship with God. We can live decisively, abundantly, and eternally as long as we live obediently.

We can live decisively if we make the decision to put God first in our life. Matthew 6:24 tells us, “No one can serve two masters…” True success is based on and a result of putting God first. This is the only foundation that can weather the storms of life without doubt. We can live abundantly once we understand why Jesus came to earth. John 10:10-11 says, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep.” Christ died for our sins that we may have spiritual life eternal. We can live eternally once we focus on the home that awaits us. John 14:2 says, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; …I go to prepare a place for you.” When we want to quit, we should remember why we started. Working and toiling can be difficult at times, but we must not lose focus on why we changed our life and chose to become a Christian. Quitting is not an option for Christians. Christians can live and not just survive by being obedient. Being obedient is hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17); believing God’s Word (Hebrews 11:6); repenting of sins (Acts 17:30); confessing Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 16:16); being baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16); and remaining faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10). Don’t let living in this world separate you from God who wants to love you for all eternity.